Skin aging begins at age 25 and at first this process goes unnoticed. Meanwhile, the skin gradually loses elasticity, its structure changes, becomes looser, the pores enlarge and wrinkles appear. Sooner or later, there comes a time when the changes become visible and then it becomes difficult to deal with them with the usual cosmetics. And pigmentation and skin thinning disorders cannot be corrected by conservative methods.
Fortunately, modern technology does not leave us alone with the problems of withering. To restore the youth of the skin, it is not enough to just eliminate the existing defects and signs of aging; This is the only way to achieve not only a visual effect, but also a true facial rejuvenation. The rejuvenation of fractional laser facial skin, which has been used in cosmetology for more than 10 years, can solve these problems.
This technology is based on the fractional photothermolysis method - exposure to a laser beam of a certain length, divided into several streams of light (fractions) for more efficient operation. Today, fractional rejuvenation is considered a viable alternative to a surgical facelift.
Mechanism of action of laser fractionated facial skin rejection
Over time, all body processes slow down, including at the cellular level. This is what causes skin aging: cells are no longer used as quickly, new ones do not grow as actively, as a result, skin renewal is increasingly ineffective and practically stops. Studies have shown that laser irradiation of skin cells helps restore the skin's natural rejuvenation potential.
Under the influence of the beam of light and the heat generated by it on the skin, the tissues are intensely cleaned of cells that have already died and those whose capacity for growth and development has been lost. At the same time, young, healthy cells only benefit from this effect: they actively multiply, replacing the cells used and restoring the “damaged” skin renewal mechanism.
Almost all cosmetic lasers have this effect on the skin. The difference between a fraxel is that it uses the most effective size of a laser beam, less than 200 microns in diameter: it is a laser so thin that it is more conducive to replacing old tissue with young, healthy one.
The second characteristic of fractional rejuvenation is that the effect occurs not with a beam, but with a whole mass of micro-beams, in which the flow of light is broken, creating a grid effect. Thus, irradiation occurs not as a point or as a continuous pulse. It is located in a given array.
The skin is divided into small areas, in the center of each of which there are tissues that have undergone a strong thermal shock, and around them are healthy cells that have not been affected by the laser beam. The result of this treatment is active skin regeneration: exfoliation of damaged cells and the growth of youthful skin in its place.
Types of fractional rejuvenation
Fractional photothermolysis comes in two fundamentally different forms: ablative and non-ablative. These methods of laser exposure differ from each other in many ways: the depth of penetration of the laser, the intensity of the treatment, the mechanism of skin stimulation, the final effect.
The ablative technology has a superficial effect on the cells of the epidermis through its evaporation. Non-ablative rejuvenation, on the contrary, does not reach the top layer of the skin, but penetrates deeply into it, where the bottom layer of the epidermis is and begins to dermis. In this case, the irradiated cells do not evaporate, but form columns of coagulated tissue.
In both cases, laser treatment takes place in limited areas, around which sites are preserved with so-called cell programming zones - healthy cells with high regeneration potential, which are triggered by thermal shock. A short-term increase in the temperature of the tissues causes the activation of all metabolic processes in them, including the growth of elastin and collagen fibers, which are responsible for the elasticity and youth of the skin.
Ablative Fraxel has a rapid effect and is best suited to eliminate the first signs of aging: superficial wrinkles, slight loss of turgor. As a result of the ablation, micro-areas evaporate from the skin surface, which, during regeneration, are tensioned by the new skin with the participation of cells from the adjacent areas. In this way, a lifting (tensioning) of the skin of the face as a whole occurs, as well as the destruction of wrinkles and defects.
This superficial impact will not be enough to solve the problems of a face with clear signs of withering. Aged skin needs to be "treated" from the inside, in the deep layers where the cells responsible for renewing the dermal condition are. This result provides non-ablative fractional rejuvenation.
Of course, nobody forbids combining these two methods. So the effect will be even more impressive: the skin will receive a double boost of rejuvenation, both inside and outside, so that a visible improvement in the condition of the face will be noticeable after a procedure, and the renewal of the activated tissue will keep the face "in shape "for a long time.
Fractional laser rejuvenation procedure
Like any other laser procedure, the fracsel is performed only by a qualified specialist. The fact is that the equipment used belongs to medical laser equipment, to work with which it is necessary to have medical training, training and obtain adequate experience.
In inept hands, a laser can be dangerous with complications and unpredictable consequences, moreover, this procedure has quite a number of contraindications. It is with the identification of obstacles to the use of laser procedures that the preparation process for fractional rejuvenation must begin.
Contraindications
We will list the conditions and diseases that do not allow the use of procedures based on laser exposure:
- the presence of any tumor formations in the body in the present and in the past;
- skin diseases in the treatment area: dermatitis, dermatoses, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo;
- damaged skin (abrasions, scratches);
- history of photoallergy;
- tendency to form keloids;
- chronic diseases of the endocrine, cardiovascular, hematological systems;
- acute viral and bacterial infections;
- weak immunity;
- acute or chronic herpes in the acute phase;
- taking retinoid medications (after the end of hospital stay, at least six months must pass before the procedure if the pills are taken, and at least 2 weeks if external agents are used);
- pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- epilepsy and other mental and neurological problems;
- recent tan.
After examining the anamnesis and the current state of health, the cosmetologist decides whether the procedure is possible. In some cases, it may be necessary to temporarily postpone it, such as with a cold or menstruation. In general, fractional laser rejuvenation is a very safe procedure and, if performed correctly, there is no risk of complications.
Progress of the procedure
Fractional photothermolysis is considered a painless procedure. However, this cannot be 100% confirmed. Most patients still experience discomfort during and especially after laser rejuvenation.
Therefore, local anesthesia is where a laser therapy session usually starts. An anesthetic is applied to the face to reduce the overall sensitivity of the skin. Burning and tingling sensations are acceptable during exposure.
The facial treatment takes 20 to 40 minutes (the time of the session depends on the size of the exposure zone), and after its completion, a special protective cream is applied to the skin and the patient receives skin care recommendations forthe recovery period.
Skin regeneration after treatment
It is believed that fractional rejuvenation does not require a recovery period and does not disturb the normal pace of life. In fact, this is not entirely true. In order not to get into embarrassing situations, it is best not to take any chances and try not to combine the laser procedure with the work or the holidays that are approaching. It is advisable to take a vacation of at least a week, because on these days you need to follow the rest regime, and appearance will hardly allow you to lead an active life. For several days, the face will be red and swollen, after a few days it will start to peel, and only after 7 to 10 days can we talk about a normal appearance.
The cure with ablative fraxel is especially unpleasant: with it, the condition of the face can look like a burn. Other consequences after the procedure include:
- hyper or hypopigmentation;
- the occurrence of scars and scars, if the tendency to them has not been previously identified;
- introduction of infection in micro-wounds.
These side effects are unlikely and are responsible for less than 3% of all cases of fractional rejuvenation. If the procedure itself is performed correctly, without interrupting the preparation and rehabilitation process, the likelihood of complications is reduced to zero.
After the fractional laser, don't sunbathe, expose your skin to friction, use aggressive cosmetics, overheat and hypothermia.
Fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation results
Fractional laser rejuvenation, unlike fractional skin resurfacing, is a minimally invasive procedure. It does not "burn" the skin layers, so the effect after a session is unlikely to be devastating. As a rule, fractional rejuvenation is done in courses - from 3 to 6 sessions, and then you can already evaluate the result:
- tightening and hardening the skin;
- strengthening the face oval;
- smoothing wrinkles;
- elimination of age spots;
- smoothing acne;
- complexion alignment.
The rejuvenating effect lasts from one to 10 years, so you can take a second course.
Fractional laser rejuvenation is well combined with other procedures: resurfacing, injection techniques, during the recovery period after plastic surgery. Laser irradiation has no destructive effect on previously introduced fillers, but experts believe it is best to first conduct a full course of Fraxel and then deal with the correction of the remaining deficiencies.
Patient ratings are mixed. Along with the positive recommendations of this procedure, negative statements are often found. For example, many women express such complaints:
- The recovery period lasts much longer than cosmetologists promise. As a rule, we are not talking about 4 to 7 days, as beauty salon employees say, but 10 to 14 days.
- More than half of the patients indicate insufficient efficacy. Many people believe that fractional rejuvenation has left their face swollen, making them look older than before the procedure. It is also noteworthy that the possibilities of the procedure to smooth out wrinkles are very exaggerated, and its main objective is to eliminate hyperpigmentation and traces of acne.
- The undoubted disadvantage of fractional laser rejuvenation is its cost.
Treatment feedback
Here are some analyzes of fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation:
Comment # 1
My mother-in-law's husband and I presented a fractional rejuvenation certificate for the anniversary. She is a young and active woman, it was with pleasure. It is noticed that there is a result: the face is fresher, tense, all the spots are gone, the wrinkles around the eyes are visibly smoothed. I did it only once, but I still want to go, fix the result, I asked next holiday to give her the same gift.
Comment # 2
I didn't like fractional rejuvenation. First, it hurt. Second, after the procedure, I had to stay at home for almost 2 weeks. My face increased several times, everything was red and even wet, as if the ichor was running. The result is zero. My main problem is post acne on my cheeks. So everything was as it was, it was worth so much suffering, also for your money.
Comment # 3
I only had enough for one Fraxel procedure. Still, it is expensive and unpleasant. But after 6 days I saw the result, and it's excellent! The nasolabial folds are gone and all the age spots are gone, and that's exactly what made me a lot older than I really am. Now that everything suits me, I think that if necessary I will decide to take the course again.
Price
As for the cost of a fractional laser rejuvenation procedure, it varies considerably depending on the amount of work and the degree of intervention. Pay is generally set for individual areas, for the entire face as a whole, for a face with a neck and cleavage. Prices may vary depending on the city.
Most cosmetologists consider this procedure a valid alternative to plastic surgery, but it makes sense to do it without waiting for significant skin changes, when it is already difficult and expensive to eliminate them. If you start doing fractional rejuvenation at age 35-40, this will allow you to postpone the need to use more radical methods for a long time.